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A concentrated 4-day in-person therapy for OCD significantly outperformed an 8-week internet-based CBT program in a randomized trial. The Bergen 4-Day Treatment (B4DT) led to higher rates of symptom response (61.4% vs. 25%) and remission (42.1% vs. 13.6%) at 3 months. Researchers suggest the two approaches could work together in a stepped-care model rather than compete.
A head-to-head randomized trial out of Germany has found that the Bergen 4-Day Treatment (B4DT) — a concentrated, exposure-based therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) — significantly outperformed an 8-week self-directed internet-based CBT (iCBT) program, with benefits lasting through a 3-month follow-up.
The trial enrolled 119 adults with OCD, randomly assigning them to either B4DT (two prep sessions + 4 intensive days of exposure and response prevention in small groups) or iCBT. Symptom severity was tracked using the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS), alongside measures of depression, quality of life, and functioning.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: OCD is notoriously difficult to treat, and access to quality care remains a major barrier. These findings suggest B4DT could serve as a powerful second-line option for patients who need more intensive support, while iCBT remains a scalable first-line entry point — a complementary pairing that could expand access and improve outcomes across the board.
